About the Plaza

What is the Plaza of Heroines?

The Plaza of Heroines is a mosaic of bricks and granite pavers that forms the entryway to Carrie Chapman Catt Hall, the building that anchors the northern edge of Iowa State University’s central campus. Artists, educators, friends, homemakers, nurses, politicians, professionals, scientists, suffragists, daughters, mothers, wives and more are recognized in this place of honor.

The center of the plaza features a large granite paving stone honoring Carrie Chapman Catt, a distinguished alumna of Iowa State’s class of 1880, leader of the U.S. women's suffrage movement, crusader for international peace and an advocate for the expansion of women's rights throughout the world. Surrounding that stone are smaller granite pavers and bricks that honor more than 3,800 women who have made an impact on individuals, families, communities and society.

Honoring Your Heroine

You may recognize an individual or a group, such as a women’s organization or a sorority. Donors and heroines do not need to be affiliated with Iowa State, and heroines may be living or deceased.

Holidays, birthdays, graduations, retirements and other special occasions offer opportunities to honor a heroine.

To honor a woman on the Plaza of Heroines, submit an order today or contact the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics at cattcntr@iastate.edu for more information. After placing an order, you will receive confirmation of your contribution and engraving information. At your request, the honoree will receive an acknowledgement card and yellow “Heroine” ribbon, or these items can be mailed to you if you wish to present them personally. If the honoree is deceased, you may send the card to her family.

Bricks and pavers are added to the plaza in each spring and fall.

To update the profile of a woman you have previously honored on the plaza, email your changes/additions to the Catt Center at cattcntr@iastate.edu.